This is not a film for the impatient, or those whom need everything tied up in a neat bow. If this is horror at all, and it is hard to say it is, it psychological horror only, I would call this an intense psychological drama rather. I originally watched this about a year ago, but it stuck with me, and I felt the desire to watch it again. This is rare for me, as I do not re-watch a great number of films. What brought me back to this film was it's sense of hopelessness, and the main characters lack of control. These are two things the film hits smack on the head, and it creates a sense of dread, as long, as like most spooky films, you can suspend your disbelief.
Tonally, this film is along the lines of "Rosemary's Baby", I am not comparing it in quality, which is inferior to RB, but rather it's storytelling approach. I will never understand someone using old fashioned as an insult, we enjoy many old fashioned things such as "old fashioned sodas", "old fashioned fudge" or "old fashioned taffy", etc, but when it doesn't jibe with what we think or agree, we think Old Fashioned is an insult. This film certainly has old fashioned sensibilities and storytelling, and as such, not everyone will like it.
The only terror in this film, is a lack of control. The lead character feels as though everything is out of control. She wasn't allowed to make a life altering choice, and as such, was forced by those who love her to leave the town she loves and has friends in. She is forced to move to a place she clearly hates, and this is her only means of control, hate and fear. This, in a sense scares her, but gives her power. The very things she fears, in the end come to be, and ultimately, give her what she wants. When you think about the ending in this regard, it makes the lead a fairly diabolical woman. Then ending, which I will not reveal, is not head scratcher, if you pay attention, and try to understand the themes of the film, which I believe I conveyed fairly well above. The ending is both heartbreaking, infuriating, and a relief.
This is an underrated psychological film with a great deal of subtext, and it really requires two viewings to catch what is truly going on here, it isn't as simple as it seems on the surface. The reason people don't enjoy this film is because they want something straight-forward where you take everything at face value, this is a slow-paced subtext heavy film, if that is not your cup of tea, avoid it please.
God Bless ~Amy
